Mathematics

Research Degrees

Mathematics research overview

Mathematics has a long history at Portsmouth. Part of a University whose origins start in late nineteenth century, the Department of Mathematics has evolved a number of times.

Our researchers work and supervise topics around the following areas of Applied Mathematics: Nonlinear Dynamics and Complex Systems, Logistics and Operations Research, Biostatistics, Numerical Analysis, and Science and Theology. These areas complement research undertaken in the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG), with which the Department of Mathematics has close ties.

The Department is located in the Lion Gate Building in the Central campus, about five minutes from the city centre. We are in close proximity to other buildings of the University and the University Library, and within walking distance from the seaside.

Key Facts

RAE2008 Rating: In the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008, our researchers in Applied Mathematics entered their work together with colleagues at the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, under the Unit of Assessment Applied Mathematics. We are delighted with our outstanding results : 75% of research projects undertaken in Applied Mathematics were judged to be in the 4* and 3* categories. This score is the best in the United Kingdom, and is matched only by the universities of Cambridge, Durham and Oxford.

Academic staff: please see our staff list webpage.

Internal links: The Department  of Mathematics has close links with the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation and other Departments at the University of Portsmouth, including the Portsmouth Business School.

External links: We have engaged in partnerships and research collaborations with a number of institutions world-wide. In addition to the funding that we receive for our excellent position in the RAE, we seek and acquire funding from a variety of research councils and other sources, including the European Union, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and industrial links.

Research Resources and Environment

You will conduct your research in a thriving research atmosphere, together with other postgraduate research students undertaking MPhil and PhD reserarch, Postdoctoral Fellows, and our academic research staff.  It is our practice to have  continual, usually daily contact between postgraduate research students and their supervisors, nurtured by the Department's practice of encouraging our postgraduate research students to participate in our regularly organised events and conferences.

The Nonlinear and Complex Systems Research Group organises weekly research seminars where, in addition to expert speakers from the Department and other universities, our postgraduate research students are encouraged to present their work in progress. You will also have the opportunity to participate in other departmental seminar series on various topics and in the Cosmology Seminar series, organised by the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, with whom we jointly organise the Mathematics Colloquia, aimed at general mathematical audience within the University.

You will be provided with a work space in a postgraduate research environment, together with other students in your field of interest, and from other research groups within the Department.  Your work space will be equipped with computing facilities suitable for scientific computation, and you will have access to the University Library and online research journals.

Research Student Profiles

Find out what it's like to do research in the department, by reading interviews with past and present research students.

Research Areas

Nonlinear and Complex Systems

The Nonlinear and Complex Systems researchers are engaged in research and supervision mainly in the field of Dynamical Systems. Some of our recent projects include the study of transport and collective phenomena, universality and renormalisation in various contexts, and the simulation and analysis of dynamically evolving networks.

Logistics and Management Mathematics (MMG)

The Logistics and Management Mathematics researchers conduct and supervise excellent research in the following fields: Distance metric optimisation; Goal programming theory and algorithms; Goal programming applications; Multiple objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs); Reverse logistics; Transport and vehicle routing.

Biostatistics and Molecular Design

The Biostatistics research area and supervision of students is undertaken by researchers from the Department of Mathematics working together with the School of Biological Sciences through the research programme 'Improved Mathematical Methods for Drug Design'.

Numerical Analysis

Numerical Analysis is the area concerned with the solution of mathematical problems using computers. Our researchers can provide excellent supervision in specialisms such as: Approximation Theory; Integral and Integro-differential Equations; Data fitting; Evaluation of various types of integrals; Algebraic equations and systems of equations; Ordinary, partial, integral and integro-differential equations.

Mathematics Education

If your research interests lie in this area, we can provide you with excellent supervision informed by our learning and teaching at the University of Portsmouth.

Science and Theology

Our researchers in this area offer excellent supervision on specialisms such as: New phenomenological turn in the dialogue between theology and science; and The universe in the image of humanity: modern cosmology in the perspective of existential phenomenology.

How to Apply

For details on how to apply, please see the Graduate School pages.